Barack Obama tried to kowtow to Nader as a consumer advocate but still didn't like the idea of his hat being thrown into the ring.

"In many ways he is a heroic figure, and I don't mean to diminish him. But I do think there is a sense now that if somebody is not hewing to the Ralph Nader agenda, then you must be lacking in some way," Obama said.

Basically, Nader is addicted to the bully pulpit. He stands behind the podium and rails against corporate special interests, bloated military budgets and tax plans that benefit the rich at the expense of the lower and middle class.

He claims not to be a spoiler candidate.

But what else could he be? He joined the race late with either no party support or the support of the Green Party that made him their candidate in 2004.

Either way, he is a figment of a candidate. He exists only to disturb the process.

But he says that it isn't his fault if the Democrats don't retake the White House this year.

"If the Democrats can't landslide the Republicans this year, they ought to just wrap up, close down, emerge in a different form," Nader said.

That would probably be a good idea for both parties. But it won't likely happen because of the inertia of political power.

However, Nader may be countered by whackos from the other end of the spectrum this year.

Ron Paul won't necessarily take his losses and go away. A strange hybrid of the Libertarian and Republican parties, Paul may just run as an independent and yank the ultra conservatives away from McCain in November. Who knows, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg could also join the fray and further muddy the waters of the 2008 presidential election.

The only thing which is certain in 2008 is whoever emerges from this melee will have earned the right to sleep in the White House for four years.

Nothing in this race has been predictable.

A black man, a white woman, an elderly war veteran and a Southern Baptist preacher are the top candidates. Nader fits into the 2008 presidential picture pretty well. Right is wrong, up is down and the only guarantee is that there are no guarantees.

It is the best reality television show on the air right now.

But there is so much riding on the outcome, it is hard to sit back and enjoy the show.

Augusta Gazette

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.